Equatorial Guinea put an end to Algeria's streak in the number of consecutive matches unbeaten at 35 matches, after Esteban Obiang scored a goal in the second half to lead his country to surprise and beat the defending champions 1-0 in the second round of Group E in the African Nations Cup today, Sunday.
Obiang received a cross pass after a corner kick, which he followed into the net from close range, against Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi in the 70th minute.
Equatorial Guinea surprised Algeria with a goal, taking advantage of the poor positioning of defenders #African Nations_Cup |
#Gambia_Mali #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 |
#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/yqa2YneUxG
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 16, 2022
Algeria, the champion of the 2019 edition in Egypt, was almost equal to Italy's record in the number of consecutive matches without defeat, which it recorded last year (37 matches), as Algeria has not lost since October 2018.
Algeria's balance freezes at one point at the bottom of the group standings, which is led by Ivory Coast with 4 points from two matches, followed by Equatorial Guinea, which achieved its first victory in the tournament, and Sierra Leone in third place with two points after its 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast earlier today.
Ivory Coast will play Algeria next Thursday at the end of the group matches in a crucial match, while Equatorial Guinea will meet Sierra Leone.